It is interesting that they selected Watson as Vice Captain. The VC role has traditionally been reserved as the grooming ground for the next captain. Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke all spent a significant amount of time as the understudy.

I find it highly unlikely that Watson will ever have a major spell as captain. Both Clarke and Watson are almost identical in age, and both have a poor history with injuries suggesting neither will last far into their mid 30ís. I guess the hope is someone can establish themselves in the Test squad who is under the age of 28 and show some real leadership material.

Watto gives awesome interviews when Australia are losing, which is an important skill for an Australian VC ATM.

Nah, seriously though... Watto as vice captain, therefore likely to lead Australia at some point in time. Who'd have thought that a couple of years ago?!

I'm not sure that Watson had alot of competition for the Test VC role. (who cares about ODIs for the next 3 years)

Who else in the side is a guaranteed selection based on non-captaincy performance, has the experience to lead the side if Clarke gets injured and has at least 3 years of decent cricket in them?

Haddin = too old (?), very ordinary gloveman. Paine/Wade will come into the side some time soon.
MHussey = too old (?).
Katich = too old, may never return.

You generally wouldn't give it to any of the fast bowlers - we don't have an Imran. Spin bowler maybe, if an astute cricketing brain like Warne/Vettori emerges who is a regular in the side, but it is still very much a departure lounge.

NFI why Smith is in the Test side at all with that dreadful technique and nude bowling.
White - leadership pedigree, but probably not going to make it as a Test batter. Miles away.
North - never to return (please!). He'd have to absolutely plunder Sheffield Shield to break his way back into the side.
Usman = newbie - ask again in a few years.
Hughes = tenure unsure.

Cupboard is pretty bare...

So Clarke/Watson is really the only option for mine - best of a bad bunch. Haddin/Hussey/Ponting can provide leadership support for a year or two until we get 20 Tests into some new guys.

It is interesting that they selected Watson as Vice Captain. The VC role has traditionally been reserved as the grooming ground for the next captain. Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke all spent a significant amount of time as the understudy.

I find it highly unlikely that Watson will ever have a major spell as captain. Both Clarke and Watson are almost identical in age, and both have a poor history with injuries suggesting neither will last far into their mid 30’s. I guess the hope is someone can establish themselves in the Test squad who is under the age of 28 and show some real leadership material.

I was thinking the very same thing Noble. But with that said we've also had Warne as VC (could have been an excellent captain had it not been a problem that he could not keep his paints zipped), and Gilchrist (just the wrong age but still won us a series in India)

I think they want to ensure that a senior player stands beside Clarke, especially in one or two years when Ponting finally puts that bats away.

I personally would not be surprised if the Vice Captaincy goes to the likes of Cosgrove, Paine, Ferguson or Smith in 12 to 24 months time. Surely the selectors are looking towards a future leadership team and are thus starting to give the 'pups' a chance to prove themselves.

Last edited by Western Warrior; 29-03-2011 at 10:37 PM.

"Cricket needs brightening up a bit. My solution is to let players drink at the beginning of the game, not after. It always works in our picnic matches." - Paul Hogan